Chris Huhne ‘got speed claim facts wrong’

The energy secretary was ticked off after being asked on the BBC’s Politics Show whether Mr Hammond was referring to him when he talked about ‘decent people’ being caught out by the current speed limit.

Incorrect: Chris Huhn (Picture: PA)

Mr Huhne – who could be prosecuted following allegations he asked ex-wife Vicky Pryce to take speeding points for him – replied: ‘Apparently, Philip has recently broken the speed limit and got some points, so I put my hands up. I lost my licence from speeding, so I was in a good position to say we shouldn’t do that and need to maintain the law.’

But sources close to Mr Hammond said: ‘Chris Huhne should check his facts. Philip has always been open that he has had points in the past but they have now expired. To say he has been caught speeding recently is incorrect.’

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat apologised to home secretary Theresa May for tipping off a newspaper about her party conference speech.

Mr Huhne admitted he told a Guardian journalist Ms May’s address – in which she claimed an illegal immigrant was allowed to stay in Britain because of his pet cat – was similar to one made by Ukip’s Nigel Farage .

His actions came to light after he accidentally posted a message, intended only for the journalist, on Twitter.

He branded his gaffe an ‘amusing little aside on what was otherwise this sort of rather silly story about cats’.